Simulation of biodiesel industrial production via solid base catalyst in a fixed-bed reactor

Biodiesel industrial production based on a solid base catalyst in a fixed-bed was simulated. The lab and bench scale experiments were carded out effectively, in which the kinetic model is established and it can describe the transesterification reaction well. The Antoine equation of biodiesel is regressed with the vapor-liquid data cited of literature. The non-random two liquid （NRTL） model is applied to describe the system of fatty acid methyl ester （FAME）, methanol and glycerol and parameters are obtained. The Ternary phase map is obtained from Aspen Plus via the liquid-liquid equilibrium （LLE） data. In order to describe the production in a fixed-bed performs in industrial scale after being magnified 1 000 times, the Aspen Plus simulation is employed, where two flowsheets are simulated to predict material and energy consumption. The simulation results prove that at least 350. 42 kW energy consumption can be reduced per hour to produce per ton biodiesel compared with data reported in previous references.

Influence of the preparation method on the catalytic activity of Mg-Al hydrotalcites as solid base catalysts

Mg-Al hydrotalcites were synthesized using different preparation methods(a co-precipitation method, a urea method, and a simple one) to analyze their effect on the catalytic activity of these solid base catalysts. The method strongly affected the structure of their layers(e.g., the growth and stacking of the layers, and the type of intercalated anions) and, accordingly, their catalytic activity. The Mg-Al hydrotalcite prepared by co-precipitation showed the best catalytic performance in the isomerization of glucose into fructose, due to the small crystallite size and sand rose morphology enhancing the exposure of surface active sites to reactants.

Synthesis and Characterisation of a Biolubricant from Cameroon Palm Kernel Seed Oil Using a Locally Produced Base Catalyst from Plantain Peelings

Biolubricant was synthesized from Cameroon palm kernel oil (PKO) by double transesterification, producing methyl esters in the first stage which were then transesterified with trimethylolpropane (TMP) to give the PKO biolubricant in the presence of a base catalyst obtained from plantain peelings (municipal waste). The yields from both catalysts were significantly similar (48% for the locally produced and 51% for the conventional) showing that the locally produced catalyst could be valorized. The synthesized biolubricant was characterized by measuring its physical and chemical properties. The specific gravity of 1.2, ASTM color of 1.5, cloud point of 0°C, pour point of -9°C, viscosities at 40°C of 509.80 cSt and at 100°C of 30.80 cSt, viscosity index of 120, flash point greater than 210°C and a fire point greater than 220°C were obtained. This synthesized biolubricant was found to be comparable to commercial T-46 petroleum lubricant sample produced industrially from mineral sources. We have therefore used local materials to produce a biolubricant using a cheap base catalyst produced from municipal waste.

EFFECT OF LITHIUM-BASE CATALYST ON THE RATE OF TRANSESTERIFICATION OF DMT WITH EG AND ON THE QUALITY OF PET

New catalysts combined with an organic or inorganic lithium salt (lithium acetate or lithiumchloride) and a conventional catalyst for the transesterification of dimethyl terephthalate withethylene glycol have been studied. Reaction mechanism in presence of lithium-base catalyst hasbeen proposed. A synergistic action of two classes of catalysts creates the speed-up of initial re-action particularly in presence of lithium acetate. The presence of lithium base catalyst can re-duce diethylene glycol content and raise the melting point of final PET product, but almostuneffect PET molecular weight distribution.

Henry Reaction between Benzaldehyde and Nitromethane over Solid Base Catalysts: A Green Protocol

The development of environmentally benign solid base catalysts instead of the soluble bases for C-C bond formation in organic reactions especially Henry reactions with nitroalkanes compounds is of intense research activity in the bulk and fine chemical chemistry in order to achieve the selectivity of the desired product and the reduction of the salts formed due to soluble bases neutralization. While using of LDHs catalysts in the synthesis of nitro alcohols is of great interest because LDHs (double layered hydroxides) is of unique properties and an excellent catalytic property. The nitroalcohols are obtained in a very good yield while using catalyst either by conventional at 90°C in liquid phase, microwave or sonoenergy without solvent methods, and the results yields are compared. A series of different nitro alcohols from (a - o) were prepared, the catalytic test reaction were carried out using benzaldehyde and their derivatives with nitromethane and their derivatives. A series of LDHs catalysts were prepared also and studying of the catalytic effect on the reactions was carried out. Properties of the compounds prepared were characterized by IR, MNR, and GC-MS.

Valorization of durian peel as a carbon feedstock for a sustainable production of heterogeneous base catalyst,single cell oil and yeast-based biodiesel

The present study reports a successful attempt to produce single cell oil(SCO),heterogeneous base catalyst and yeast-based biodiesel from durian peel as a promising carbon feedstock by means of the waste-to-energy concept.For this purpose,first,durian peel(DP)was hydrolyzed by dilute sulfuric acid to obtain xylose-rich DP hydrolysate(XDPH)and post-hydrolysis DP solid residue(DPS).Candida viswanathii PSY8,a newly isolated oleaginous yeast,showed high SCO accumulation(5.1±0.1 g/L)and SCO content(35.3±0.13%)on undetoxified XDPH medium.A novel heterogeneous base catalyst(DPS-K)prepared from DPS by wet impregnation technique with KOH,exhibited considerable catalytic activity to convert SCO-rich wet yeast of C.viswanathii PSY8 into yeast-based biodiesel(FAME)via direct transesterification with a maximum FAME yield of 94.3%under optimal conditions(6 wt%catalyst,10:1 methanol to wet yeast ratio,75℃,and 2 h).Moreover,most of the yeast-based biodiesel properties obtained from the FAME profiles were correlated well with the biodiesel standards limit of Thai,ASTM D6751 and EN 14214.Additionally,the energy output of FAME produced about 37.5 MJ/kg was estimated.Thus,this present finding demonstrated the favorable strategy for sustainable and eco-friendly production of new generation biodiesel.

Preparation of palladium-based catalyst by plasma-assisted atomic layer deposition and its applications in CO_(2) hydrogenation reduction

Supported Pd catalyst is an important noble metal material in recent years due to its high catalytic performance in CO_(2)hydrogenation.A fluidized-bed plasma assisted atomic layer deposition(FP-ALD) process is reported to fabricate Pd nanoparticle catalyst over γ-Al_(2)O_(3)or Fe_(2)O_(3)/γ-Al_(2)O_(3)support,using palladium hexafluoroacetylacetonate as the Pd precursor and H_(2)plasma as counter-reactant.Scanning transmission electron microscopy exhibits that highdensity Pd nanoparticles are uniformly dispersed over Fe_(2)O_(3)/γ-Al_(2)O_(3)support with an average diameter of 4.4 nm.The deposited Pd-Fe_(2)O_(3)/γ-Al_(2)O_(3)shows excellent catalytic performance for CO_(2)hydrogenation in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor.Under a typical condition of H_(2)to CO_(2)ratio of 4 in the feed gas,the discharge power of 19.6 W,and gas hourly space velocity of10000 h^(-1),the conversion of CO_(2)is as high as 16.3% with CH_(3)OH and CH4selectivities of 26.5%and 3.9%,respectively.

Design of Multiple Metal Doped Ni Based Catalyst for Hydrogen Generation from Bio-oil Reforming at Mild-temperature

A new kind of multiple metal （Cu, Mg, Ce） doped Ni based mixed oxide catalyst, synthesized by the co-precipitation method, was used for efficient production of hydrogen from bio-oil reforming at 250-500℃. Two reforming processes, the conventional steam reforming （CSR） and the electrochemical catalytic reforming （ECR）, were performed for the bio-oil reforming. The catalyst with an atomic mol ratio of Ni：Cu：Mg：Ce：AI=5.6：1.1：1.9：1.0：9.9 exhibited very high reforming activity both in CSR and ECR processes, reaching 82.8% hydrogen yield at 500℃ in the CSR, yield of 91.1% at 400℃ and 3.1 A in the ECR, respectively. The influences of reforming temperature and the current through the catalyst in the ECR were investigated. It was observed that the reforming and decomposition of the bio-oil were significantly enhanced by the current. The promoting effects of current on the decomposition and reforming processes of bio-oil were further studied by using the model compounds of bio- oil （acetic acid and ethanol） under 101 kPa or low pressure （0.1 Pa） through the time of flight analysis. The catalyst also shows high water gas shift activity in the range of 300-600 ℃. The catalyst features and alterations in the bio-oil reforming were characterized by the ICP, XRD, XPS and BET measurements. The mechanism of bio-oil reforming was discussed based on the study of the elemental reactions and catalyst characterizations. The research catalyst, potentially, may be a practical catalyst for high efficient production of hydrogen from reforming of bio-oil at mild-temperature.

Relationship between oxygen species and activity/stability in heteroatom(Zr,Y)-doped cerium-based catalysts for catalytic decomposition of CH_3SH

CeO2,Ce1–xZrxO2,and Ce1–xYxO2–δ(x=0.25,0.50,0.75,and 1.00)have been rapidly synthesized to estimate their catalytic behavior in decomposing CH3SH.The role of oxygen vacancies,and the relationship between the oxygen species and catalytic properties of CeO2 and Zr‐doped and Y‐doped ceria‐based materials are investigated in detail.Combining the observed catalytic performance with the characterization results,it can be deemed that surface lattice oxygen plays a critical role in methanethiol catalytic conversion over cerium oxides.Ce0.75Zr0.25O2 shows higher catalytic activity for CH3SH decomposition due to the large amount of surface lattice oxygen,readily available oxygen species,and excellent redox properties.Ce0.75Y0.25O2–δdisplays better catalytic stability owing to the greater number of oxygen vacancies that would promote bulk lattice oxygen migration to the surface of the catalyst in order to replenish surface lattice oxygen.In addition,the results show that the difference in chemical valence between Ce and the heteroatoms would strongly influence the amount of surface lattice oxygen as well as the mobility of bulk‐phase oxygen in these catalysts,thus affecting their activity and stability.

Mesoporogen-free synthesis of hierarchical sodalite as a solid base catalyst from sub-molten salt-activated aluminosilicate

A rapid and environmentally friendly approach to synthesize hierarchical sodalite from natural aluminosilicate mineral without the involvement of any mesoporogen or post-synthesis treatment was developed.This strategy involves three important steps:the first is the depolymerization of an aluminosilicate mineral into highly reactive silicon and aluminum species with ideal meso-scale structures through activation of a sub-molten salt.The second step is the hydrolysis and condensation of the activated aluminosilicate mineral into zeolitic precursors that also have a meso-scale structure.The third is the rapid zeolitization of the zeolitic precursors through the reversed crystal growth route at room temperature and ambient pressure to form hierarchical sodalite.The physicochemical properties of the as-synthesized sodalite were systematically characterized,and the formation mechanism of the hierarchical pore structure was discussed.When used as a solid base catalyst for Knoevenagel condensation,the as-synthesized sodalite and its potassium ion-exchanged product with hierarchical micro-meso-macroporous structure both exhibited high catalytic activity and product selectivity.

Synthesis of dimethyl adipate from cyclopentanone and dimethyl carbonate over solid base catalysts

A facile route for the synthesis of dimethyl adipate （DAP） from cyclopentanone and dimethyl carbonate （DMC） in the pres- ence of solid base catalysts has been developed. It was found that the intermediate carbomethoxycyclopentanone （CMCP） was produced from cyclopentanone with DMC in the first step, and then CMCP was further converted to DAP by reacting with a methoxide group. The role of the basic catalysts can be mainly ascribed to the activation of cyclopentanone via the abstraction of a proton in the a-position by base sites, and solid bases with moderate strength, such as MgO, favor the formation of DAP.

Transesterification of glyceryl tributyrate with methanol using strontium borate as the solid base catalyst

Four kinds of strontium borates were prepared and characterized by XRD, SEM, EDS, TG-DTA and Hammett titration method and their catalytic activities were examined in the transesterification of glyceryl tributyrate with methanol for the first time. The separate effects of the molar ratio of methanol to oil, the reaction time, and reusability were investigated. In addition, the catalytic activities of Sr（OH）2 and SrCO3 were also examined for the comparison. The results showed that the basicity and catalytic activity of these catalysts were decreased as the following order： Sr（OH）2 〉 SrB2O4·4H2O 〉 SrB6O10·5H2O 〉 SrB2O4 〉 SrB6O10 〉 SrCO3, and the reusability decreases as the following order： anhydrous strontium borates （SrBgO4, SrB6O10） 〉 hydrated strontium borates （SrB2O4·4H2O, SrB6O10·5H2O） 〉 Sr（OH）〉 The results indicate that the SrB2O4·4H2O with regular morphology, which was obtained at low temperature by a simple preparation method, might be as one kind of good potential alkaline earth salts catalyst for transesterification. Moreover, the possible reaction mechanism is proposed and analyzed.

Synthesis of Biodiesel from Rapeseed Oil Using K_2O/γ-Al_2O_3 as Nano-Solid-Base Catalyst

Nano-solid-base catalyst K2O/γ-Al2O3 was prepared and adopted for the synthesis of biodiesel by transesterification of rapeseed oil with methanol. The particle diameter of the catalyst was about 50 nm, which was measured by transmission electron microscopy （TEM）. The variables affecting the yield of biodiesel during transesterification, such as mass ratio of KNO3 to γ-Al2O3, calcination temperature, calcination time, catalyst content, molar ratio of methanol to oil, reaction temperature and reaction time were investigated. The catalyst obtained by calcining a mixture of KNO3 and γ-Al2O3 （mKNO3/mγ-Al2O3 =70 %） at 600℃ for 3 h, was found to be the optimum one, which gave the highest catalytic activity in the reaction. With 3% （mcatalyst/moil） catalyst, when the transesterification was carried out at a molar ratio of methanol to oil of 12 ： ：1, a reaction temperature of 70℃, and a reaction time of 3 h, yield of 94% was achieved.

Development of solid base catalyst X/Y/MgO/-Al_(2)O_(3) for optimization of preparation of biodiesel from Jatropha curcas L.seed oil

The preparation and regeneration conditions of the identified catalyst X/Y/MgO/?-Al2O3 with high catalytic activity were studied and optimized. The biodiesel was prepared by transesterification of Jatropha curcas seed oil produced in Guizhou with methanol at its reflux temoerature in the presence of X/Y/MgO/?-Al2O3 . The pilot plant tests were carried out in a 100 L reaction vessel. Both average yield and fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) content reached more than 96.50% under the optimum reaction conditions of the pilot plant tests designed with an oil/methanol molar ratio of 1 : 10, catalyst concentration of 1.00%, and reaction time of 3 h at reflux temperature. In addition, analysis shows that the quality of biodiesel meets the standard EN 14214.

Selective hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,3-propanediol over Pt-W based catalysts

The selective hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,3-propanediol(1,3-PDO)is an attractive reaction due to the high demand for valorization of huge excess amounts of glycerol supply as well as the important application of 1,3-PDO in polyester industry.Nevertheless,the formation of 1,3-PDO is thermodynamically less favorable than 1,2-PDO,which necessitates the development of efficient catalysts to manipulate the reaction kinetics towards the 1,3-PDO formation.Among others,Pt-W based catalysts have shown promising activities and selectivities of 1,3-PDO although the reaction mechanism is not well addressed at the molecular level.In this short review,we have compared the performances of different Pt-W based catalysts and discussed the key factors influencing the activity and selectivity.Three possible reaction mechanisms have been discussed in terms of the synergy between Pt and WO_x and the origin of acid sites.Finally,the long-term stability of the Pt-W catalysts has been discussed.We hope this review will provide useful information for the development of more efficient catalysts for this important reaction.

Review on the latest developments in modified vanadium-titanium-based SCR catalysts

Vanadium-titanium-based catalysts are the most widely used industrial materials for NO_x removal from coal-fired power plants. Owing to their relatively poor low-temperature deNO_x activity, low thermal stability, insufficient Hg^0 oxidation activity, SO_2 oxidation, ammonia slip, and other disadvantages,modifications to traditional vanadium-titanium-based selective catalytic reduction（SCR）catalysts have been attempted by many researchers to promote their relevant performance. This article reviewed the research progress of modified vanadium-titanium-based SCR catalysts from seven aspects, namely,（1） improving low-temperature deNO_x efficiency,（2） enhancing thermal stability,（3） improving Hg^0 oxidation efficiency,（4） oxidizing slip ammonia,（5） reducing SO_2 oxidation,（6） increasing alkali resistance, and（7） others. Their catalytic performance and the influence mechanisms have been discussed in detail. These catalysts were also divided into different categories according to their modified components such as noble metals（e.g., silver, ruthenium）, transition metals（e.g., manganese, iron, copper, zirconium, etc.）, rare earth metals（e.g., cerium, praseodymium）,and other metal chlorides（e.g., calcium chloride, copper chloride） and non-metals（fluorine,sulfur, silicon, nitrogen, etc.）. The advantages and disadvantages of these catalysts were summarized.Based on previous studies and the author＇s point of view, doping the appropriate modified components is beneficial to further improve the overall performance of vanadium-titanium-based SCR catalysts. This has enormous development potential and is a promising way to realize the control of multiple pollutants on the basis of the existing flue gas treatment system.

Support effect of the supported ceria-based catalysts during NH_3-SCR reaction

To investigate how the physicochemical properties and NH3‐selective catalytic reduction(NH3‐SCR)performance of supported ceria‐based catalysts are influenced as a function of support type,a series of CeO2/SiO2,CeO2/γ‐Al2O3,CeO2/ZrO2,and CeO2/TiO2catalysts were prepared.The physicochemical properties were probed by means of X‐ray diffraction,Raman spectroscopy,Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller surface area measurements,X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy,H2‐temperature programmed reduction,and NH3‐temperature programmed desorption.Furthermore,the supported ceria‐based catalysts'catalytic performance and H2O+SO2tolerance were evaluated by the NH3‐SCR model reaction.The results indicate that out of the supported ceria‐based catalysts studied,the CeO2/γ‐Al2O3catalyst exhibits the highest catalytic activity as a result of having a high relative Ce3+/Ce4+ratio,optimum reduction behavior,and the largest total acid site concentration.Finally,the CeO2/γ‐Al2O3catalyst also presents excellent H2O+SO2tolerance during the NH3‐SCR process.

Performance enhancement mechanism of Mn-based catalysts prepared under N_2 for NO_x removal:Evidence of the poor crystallization and oxidation of MnO_x

Among multitudinous metal‐oxide catalysts for the selective catalytic reduction of NOx with NH3(NH3‐SCR),Mn‐based catalysts have become very popular and developed rapidly in recent years because of its superior low‐temperature denitrification activity,mainly originating from multi‐valence of Mn.Most studies suggest that the catalytic activity of multi‐component oxides is superior to that of single‐component catalysts owing to the synergistic effect among the metallic elements in such materials,of which more attentions have been given to Ce as an additive owing to its powerful oxygen storage capacity,redox ability and its ready availability.As the core of SCR technology,the research points in catalyst development at the present stage of all researchers in countries mainly centralize on the optimization of active components,carriers,calcination temperature,calcination time and temperature‐raising procedure,giving little thought to the effects of the calcination atmosphere.In the present work,Ce‐modified Mn‐based catalysts were prepared by a simple impregnation method.The effects of the calcination atmosphere(N2,air or O2)on the performance of the resulting materials during NH3‐SCR and its causes of the differences were subsequently investigated and characterized using various analytical methods.Data obtained from X‐ray diffraction,thermogravimetry and temperature‐programmed reduction with hydrogen show that calcination under N2reduces both the degree of oxidation and crystallization of the MnOx.Scanning electron microscopy also demonstrates that the use of N2inhibits the growth of grains and increases the dispersion of the catalysts.In addition,the results of temperature‐programmed desorption with ammonia indicate that catalysts calcined under N2exhibit a greater quantity of acid sites.Finally,X‐ray photoelectron spectrometry and activity results demonstrate that MnOx in the lower valence states is more favorable for NH3‐SCR reactions.In conclusion,catalysts calcined under N2show superior performance during NH3‐SCR for NOx removal,allowing NO conversions up to94%at473K.

Effect of Relative Humidity on Catalytic Combustion of Toluene over Copper Based Catalysts with Different Supports

The copper based catalysts, CuO/T-Al2O3, CuO/y-Al2O3-cordierite （Cord） and CuO/Cord, were prepared by impregnation method. The catalytic activity of the catalysts was tested in absence and presence of water vapor,and the catalysts were characterized. Temperature program desorption （TPD） experiments or toluene and water on the catalysts were carried out. The influence of water vapor on the activity of the catalysts was discussed. Results showed that addition of the water vapor has a significant negative effect on the catalytic activity of the catalysts.The higher the concentration of the Water vapor in feed steam was, the lower the catalytic activity of the copper based catalysts became, which could be mainly ascribed to the competition of water molecules with toluene molecules for adsorption on the catalyst surfaces. TPD experiments showed that the strength of the interaction between water molecules and three catalysts followed the order： CuO/γ-Al2O3〉CuO/γ-Al2O3-Cord〉CuO/Cord. As a consequence of that, the degree of degradation in the catalytic activity of these three catalysts by the water vapor followed the order： CuO/γ-Al2O3〉CuO/y-Al2O3-Cord〉CuO/Cord. However, the negative effect of the water vapor was reversible.